In this powerful episode of Crosstalk Podcast, we sit down with Mike, a longtime member of the recovery community whose life story spans early exposure to substances, generational sobriety, devastating trauma, and ultimately, long-term recovery. Growing up around Alcoholics Anonymous through his father’s sobriety, Mike’s relationship with alcohol and drugs began young and escalated quickly fueled by experimentation, denial, and a culture where chaos felt normal.

Mike walks us through the pivotal moments that shaped his addiction, including multiple arrests, DUIs, blackout drinking, and a life-altering accident that left a permanent emotional imprint. Rather than avoiding the pain, this episode explores what happens when unresolved trauma is buried under substances and how avoidance can quietly accelerate addiction.

We dive deep into ...